Mini Cannoli Bites: Your New Favorite Quick Dessert
Mini Cannoli Bites offer a delightful twist on the classic Italian pastry, bringing all the rich, creamy flavors of traditional cannoli into bite-sized portions. Perfect for any celebration, these easy-to-make treats are sure to be a hit at your next party or family gathering.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 12 bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 package premade pie crust (store-bought for convenience)
1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese (ensure to strain before using)
1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
1/3 cup powdered sugar (adjust quantity to taste)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (can substitute with almond extract)
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Roll out the premade pie crust and use a 2 ½-inch round cutter to cut out 12 rounds. Gently press each round into an ungreased mini muffin tin to form the shells.
- Bake the shells in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Once baked, let your shells cool for about 15 minutes on a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl, combine the strained ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and mini chocolate chips. Mix everything together until you achieve a smooth and creamy filling.
- Once the shells have cooled, carefully pipe or spoon the filling into each shell. For a finishing touch, sprinkle additional mini chocolate chips on top and lightly dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
Add a Fruit Twist: Mix in some finely chopped fruit like candied orange peel or cherries to the filling for a fruity variation of the classic cannoli.
Different Toppings: Top your Mini Cannoli Bites with chopped pistachios, crushed graham crackers, or even a drizzle of chocolate for a fun twist.
Make it Vegan: Use dairy-free alternatives like vegan cream cheese, non-dairy ricotta, and a plant-based pie crust to make these bites vegan-friendly.
Flavored Filling: Experiment with different extracts like almond or hazelnut to give the filling an extra flavor boost.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
